2017 Events for Children’s Summer Reading!

The theme of this year’s Summer Reading Program at Greenwich Library is all about building – building a better world and building things that children can see and touch. The program features events and activities that encourage children to exercise their minds, celebrate creativity and try something new.

The Greenwich Library Summer Reading website is the destination for all things summer reading. All children who are reading independently are welcome to join the Summer Reading Program. Students in grades K-6 can register online or in person at the Main Library, Cos Cob, and Byram and earn a prize for joining the program. Students can track their reading online all summer long and earn prizes for hitting reading milestones.

The summer reading site includes links to school reading lists (both public and private schools), and details for all summer reading events. Register online at www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading. Greenwich Public School students can link from the lists directly into Greenwich Library’s catalog to see what titles are available in print and digital formats.

The following special events at the Main Library are in addition to regularly scheduled summer programs. Summer Reading is made possible through the support of the Friends of Greenwich Library, Crane Foundation, and the Board of Trustees of Greenwich Library. Check the Children’s Room calendar for additional summer story times, drop-in programs, book clubs, pre-school music and movement and Stories in the Park (on Wednesdays in the Bruce Park Gazebo).

Kick off your summer reading with ScienceTellers! People don’t just build on land, they build on water too. Set sail with ScienceTellers on a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a deserted island who must find a way to build a ship before all hope is lost. Planks, sails, rigging, rails… what else could a pirate ship possibly require? Volunteers from the audience will help us explore the incredible science behind clouds, flash paper, air pressure, inertia, explosions and more. Door prizes and refreshments follow the performance. No tickets needed. All ages welcome. Doors open at 10:45. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

DETAILS: ArchForKids presents a fun, fast-paced introduction to the tools, strategies, and work of architects for children age 6 and up. All the materials will be provided for children to imagine, design and create a castle. Recommended registration begins June 12 using the Library’s online calendar. Space is limited to 30 children. One in a series of three programs presented by ArchForKids. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Summer Reading Program Event at Greenwich LibraryMake it & Take it LEGO

Drop-in to the Children’s Room to our LEGO table and let your imagination take over! Children can make their own LEGO creations and take them home. No registration required. Ages 4 and up. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Summer Reading Program Event at Greenwich LibraryBuild a Better World: Mario the Magician

DETAILS: Mario “the Magician” Marchese is an artist and inventor who creates his own props. He is known for his dedication to the Maker Movement and STEAM/STEM initiatives and his clever and refreshing integration of DIY electronics and robotics into his performance. Despite his use of cutting-edge technology, he never sacrifices the old-school slapstick vibe that audiences so love. It’s vintage meets the future. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

ArchForKids presents a fun, fast-paced introduction to the tools, strategies, and work of architects for children age 6 and up. Design a park for a shoreline, adding landscaping, pathways, a playground, bridges and more. All the materials will be provided to imagine and create a waterfront park. Recommended registration begins July 1 using the Library’s online calendar. Space is limited to 30 children. The second in a series of three programs presented by ArchForKids. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Children age 6 and up are invited to join artist Michael Albert for a photocollage workshop. Using world landmark/building photos, Michael will teach participants to create their own collage in this two-hour workshop. Greenwich Library will provide the materials and the photos for your children to create their artwork. If you prefer to bring a photo of your own home or a favorite building, please be sure it is on letter-size photo paper. Recommended registration begins July 1 using the Library’s online calendar. Space limited to 30 children. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Summer Reading Program Event at Greenwich LibraryBuild a Better World: Design a 3D Printed House

MacInspires will lead a 2-hour introductory workshop into the world of 3D printing for kids age 9 and up. Students will be acquainted with 3D printers and then use software to create a house of their own design. It can look like their home or a home of the future! After completing their design, the Library will print out the designs using the 3D printer and students can pick up their models at a later date. Required registration begins on July 10 using the Library’s online calendar. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Brush up on math skills with games for children entering grades 2 and 3! Children play online math games, competing with others at their own level. The three top scoring children receive STEM prizes, and all receive a small prize for attending the program. Maximum 16 students. Required registration, using the Library’s online calendar begins July 17. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Join us for the Summer Reading finale with a Traveling Lantern Company performance of The Ribbles Build a Residence: The ABC’s Architecture, Building, and Construction. Soon after their lovely insect nuptials, Mr. and Mrs. Ribble are expecting a baby Ribblet, and they need a new home for their family! Mr. Ribble wants to go big with a four grasshopper garage, but Mrs. Ribble convinces him to build a dream home that is more environmentally and neighborhood friendly. By playing interactive games and discovering basic building techniques the audience will help draw a ground plan while Thia Tweet the bird architect and Gerry the Ant Contractor from Brooklyn assist the Ribbles in building a new home for a better world! Refreshments and raffles follow the show. Open to all ages at no charge, no tickets needed. Doors open at 10:45am. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

ArchForKids presents a fun, fast-paced introduction to the tools, strategies, and work of architects for children age 6 and up. All materials will be provided to recreate the local facades of buildings in our Greenwich community. Recommended registration begins August 1 using the Library’s online calendar. Space is limited to 30 children. The third in a series of three programs presented by ArchForKids. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

Summer Reading Program Event at Greenwich LibraryMake it & Take it LEGO

Drop-in to the Children’s Room to our LEGO table and let your imagination take over! Children can make their own LEGO creations and take them home. No registration required. Ages 4 and up. For more information call (203) 622-7940 or visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.

The Summer Reading Program is part of Greenwich Library’s commitment to promote the love of reading and encourage children and their families to continue reading during the summer break. Studies show that children who read or are read to during the summer do not lose the reading skills they have gained and are better prepared for school in the fall.

Summer Reading is made possible through the support of the Friends of Greenwich Library, Crane Foundation, and the Board of Trustees of Greenwich Library.

For more information email Children’s Librarian Deirdre Sullivan at dsullivan@greenwichlibrary.org. For a complete listing of summer reading program events, visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/summerreading.